Denver Water wants to support innovative, small projects aimed at using water efficiently through landscape transformation. Small Projects awardees can receive up to $10,000 for approved projects. Priority will be given to projects centered around education and outreach, which serve disproportionately impacted communities. This funding category was created to capture outside-of-the-box, creative ways to use water mindfully on the landscape. If your project or initiative educates, demonstrates or supports water conservation through landscapes — and doesn’t fit into the other LTAP categories — Small Projects may be the right fit.
Eligible items for funding:
- Landscape design
- Site equipment or materials
- Labor
- Educational signage, communication tools
- Community engagement efforts
- Projects that expand and protect tree canopy
- Projects focused on food security through landscapes in disproportionately impacted communities
Applicants should justify their funding requests by providing detailed plans, budgets, invoices or other supporting purchase information. Projects must be completed by Oct. 15 of the award year.
Applications for the 2027 award year will open on Sept. 1, 2026, and close Nov. 1, 2026. Notice of award letters will be issued by Jan. 31, 2027.
- Funding requests must include detailed descriptions of project expenses to be approved by Denver Water.
- Funding will be distributed according to a schedule of project milestones agreed to between the applicant and Denver Water.
- Funding for support projects that go to equipment, materials, signage, etc., require estimates to determine funding award and documentation of how funds were spent.
- LTAP funding is available to project partners who receive a water bill from Denver Water or one of these qualifying water providers.
- Projects must educate, demonstrate, or support water conservation through landscaping, or provide community benefits such as shade and cooling through tree canopy or access to locally grown food through food forests and community gardens.
- Project tasks funded by LTAP must begin after award letter is received and be completed by Oct. 15 of award year.
- Non-profit organizations
- Neighborhood/community-based organizations
- Federally recognized tribes
- Municipalities
- Local governments
- Businesses serving communities
- Projects that expand and protect the urban tree canopy are eligible to apply. These efforts contribute to improving shade and lowering temperatures throughout our service area, which is a vital part of a diverse ColoradoScape.
- Projects that increase access to locally grown food through food forests and community gardens are eligible to apply.
- Educational programs focused on water-wise landscaping such as science-based training curriculum, garden signage, classes, etc.
- Materials needed to support a landscape project. Example: hose timers for Denver Digs Trees participants in need of irrigation support.
- Community led efforts related to landscape transformation.
- Applicants must fill out the initial intake form.
- Denver Water staff will review the initial intake form and contact the applicant to schedule a phone consultation.
- Once project details and the requested funding amount are identified, the applicant must submit a formal application online. Denver Water staff will provide form access.
- Applications must be received by Nov. 1 for project funding requests for the upcoming calendar year.
- Projects must be completed by Oct. 15 of the year the project was approved. Projects cannot be rolled over to the following calendar year.
- Denver Water will send a notification of funding award to applicants following successful submittal of application.